Friday, May 6, 2011

Rome: Spring 1965

I only got several pictures which depicted my grandparents’ excursion in Rome on the late Spring 1965. It was a journey on upheaval times, followed by the devastating Rebellion of the Indonesian Communist Party which happened on September 30, 1965. Reminiscing the difficult era, my grandma seemed worried about her three children that she left faraway in Indonesia. My grandpa, also in his concern, relentlessly captured the unspoken moments of my grandma who looked so pensive in these vintage photographs.

Vatican City: Here was St. Peter’s Square, with its majestic colonnade, its beautiful fountains, and St. Peter’s Basilica, the great church with Michelangelo’s dome sitting on top of it. A very impressive sight, my grandma was stunned while admiring the beautiful architecture.

Then the Apostolic Palace, which is the official residence of the Pope. It's from the window loggia (decorated with frescoes) of the study where the Pope greets and blesses pilgrims on St. Peter’s Square every Sunday.

The old grandeur, we could observe the horse-drawn carriages.

The Basilica of St. John Lateran is the cathedral of Church of Rome and the official ecclesiastical seat of the Bishop of Rome, who is the Pope. When my grandparents were there, it was still under renovation.

Basilica of St. Paul Outside The Walls (Basilica Papale di San Paolo fuori le Mura) is one of four churches that are listed as great ancient major basilicas of Rome: St. John Lateran, St. Mary (Santa Maria Maggiore), St. Peter’s Basilica, and St. Paul Outside The Walls. This basilica was founded by the Roman Emperor Constantine I over the burial site of Saint Paul the Apostle, located in the suburbs of Rome.

Finally, my grandma in front of the Roma Termini train station. The building is characterized by the extremely long and modernfaçade. Arrivederci, Roma! Ci vediamo la prossima volta :)